Several years ago, I visited Seattle with my sister during our trip to the Northwest, and, while we only spent about two days there, we fell in love with the city. Of course, we took in sights like the Space Needle, Pier 57, the Seattle Great Wheel, and Pike Place Market. But we also checked out local shops, ate at some of the world’s best restaurants, and drank and played trivia at bars — talking with people and getting to know more about the city.
We were new to Seattle and had no trouble meeting people, so singles who live there shouldn’t have to struggle either. They simply need a nudge in the right direction. Here are 12 tips for singles in Seattle who need help revving up their dating lives.
Seattle Dating Sites
We won’t go as far to say dating is pointless without online dating, but it does make a huge difference, especially in a city like Seattle, which has more than 733,000 people. If you’ve been single for a (long) while and have been avoiding online dating, it’s time to bite the bullet. You’re missing out on so many good opportunities, and really online dating is the fastest way to get offline. Our experts have reviewed dozens and dozens of dating sites and have found the following five to be at the top of the heap.
Best Singles Site
As with most singles in the US, Seattle singles turn to Match because of its history (founded in 1995), affordability (free to get started), size (30 million members), and accomplishments (most romantic connections of any dating site). Match has been called the best dating site by iDate and the most reputable matchmaking service online by Net Guide, so you’re in good hands if you join.
- Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
- Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
- Our Experts Say: Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Over 50 & Senior Site
Single seniors can have a hard time with online dating because they’re often targeted for scams and can be somewhat unfamiliar with the technology, particularly if they’re new to this form of dating. But OurTime is a safe, easy-to-use platform specifically for daters aged 50 and older.
- Relationships: Dates and Relationships
- Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
- Our Experts Say: OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
For Black Men & Women Only
Black men and women make up 7.9% of Seattle’s population, according to the 2010 Census. That number gets smaller when you factor in those who are single. For black daters trying to quickly and easily connect in Seattle, you can trust BlackPeopleMeet to get the job done. The site is also just as welcoming to biracial singles and people of other races who are interested in interracial dating.
- Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
- Match System: Search by location, age, more
- Our Experts Say: BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Hookup & Sex Site
On Adult Friend Finder, frisky Seattle singles can get right down to it — no charades, no games, no dates, no feigning interest. The site has millions of members, free membership, live communication tools, and more than a 20-year influence, so you won’t be disappointed.
- Relationships: Hookups Only
- Match System: Search by location, interest, more
- Our Experts Say: Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Popular Dating Apps
If only there were a way you could find a date in Seattle while you wait in line at Starbucks, ride the bus to work, walk the dog, hang out with friends, eat at a restaurant, or drink at a bar. Oh, wait, there is. Dating apps allow you to meet singles and do all of those things without missing a beat. Below are our three favorites, and they’ve been tested from beginning to end by our experts.
Match.com
- Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
- Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
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About the App:
Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you’ll have a high chance of success. It’s free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
eharmony
- Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
- Match System: Get daily match suggestions
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About the App:
Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It’s absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
OurTime.com
- Relationships: Dating and Relationships
- Match System: Search by age as well as zip, gender, more
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About the App:
Made just for single seniors, OurTime is one of the most well-known niche dating apps. It’s a fun and straightforward app with simple swiping features. Once two people swipe right on each other, they can communicate. For more match options, visit the ConnectMe and I’m Interested pages.
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Seattle Singles Bars
Peterga.com says that an average of 81 new bars open in Seattle every year. Sometimes there’s nothing better, or more classic, than getting hit on at a bar. We’ve narrowed down the options to seven Seattle bars for good drinks, good food, good atmosphere, and good people-meeting.
Beveridge Place Pub
Head to west Seattle, and that's where you'll find Beveridge Place Pub. a massive menu of local, regional, national, and international beers — including more than 36 drafts and 150 bottles. Don't like beer? Don't worry, Beveridge also has cider, wine, mead, and sake. Check out its calendar of weekly events, including festivals, brewers' nights, and holiday celebrations (e.g., Oktoberfest), because they're perfect for mingling!
Bottlehouse
Bottlehouse wants patrons to "Dwell, Drink, Be Well," and it accomplishes that thanks to its extensive tasting bar and shoppe menus. From the Avinyo Cava Reserva to the Old Fashioned to the Scuttlebutt Porter to the house-made pickles to the featured cheeses and the pot de crème — these menus feature everything a Seattleite could want.
Canon
Canon is a whiskey and bitters emporium, and it's open every day of the year except July Fourth, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. With more than 3,500 labels, Canon has the western hemisphere's largest spirit collection, which is probably one reason why it has a high 4-star rating on Yelp. Joseph C. said in his review: "Fanciful cocktails, incredible collection of alcohol. Very friendly staff/service and romantic seating."
Unicorn
If you like quirk, then you'll love Unicorn & Narwhal, two carnival-themed bars on Capitol Hill. Both bars come complete with an arcade, claw machine, and photo booth as well as weekly events like trivia, karaoke, game night, and cabaret. Unicorn & Narwhal call their food and drinks "whimsical," and they definitely are. Our mouths were watering just reading about the pop-icorn basket (truffled butter or cinnamon sugar), corn dogs (veggie, poutine, etc.), deep-fried Snickers, Snozzberry Frost, Mystical Mermaid, and Ringmaster.
Linda's Tavern
Linda's Tavern is considered "THE Official Tavern in the NW," and Seattle locals flock to it because of its atmosphere (almost "Twin Peaks" like), outdoor patio, and weekend brunch. On Yelp, Ana Pau M. said it's a "nice place to spend a Friday night," while Katy B. said she "would definitely recommend checking this place out if you are looking for a relaxing environment to have some drinks (it doesn't get super crowded usually) or if you want to sit outside."
Liberty
Founded in 2006, Liberty has some of the best made-from-scratch cocktails and sushi that you'll find in Seattle — as well as an impressive liquor menu (more than 85 bourbons and ryes; 100 Scotch, Japanese, Indian, Irish, and Canadian Whiskies; 40 gins; dozens of vodkas; 50 tequilas; and 20 Mezcals). It's open every day from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., with happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Seattle Speed Dating
Speed dating events are like the buffets of dating — you get a taste of who someone is for a few minutes, and then you move on to the next one until you’ve met about a dozen people. By the end of the night, you’ll have a favorite dish… I mean date. Pre-Dating is the company that can hook Seattle singles up with tons of speed dating events (every week if you want), so you’ll never go hungry!
Seattle Singles Events
Pictured left is a group of singles whitewater rafting, and that’s just one of the things you could end up doing at a singles event. Events & Adventures specializes in getting singles together for group dates that don’t feel like dates. No stuffiness, no awkwardness, no long silences, none of that typical stuff! The company has a page dedicated to Seattle, so you’ll find an activity that tickles your fancy in no time.
Seattle Singles Clubs
One of the best times I’ve ever had was when I was at a club in London with my sister, and we both met guys we hit it off with. It was a five-story bar and club, so we all kept going up and down — drinking, dancing, getting another drink, and dancing some more until, before we knew it, it was 7 a.m. This is the one and only time we’ve ever done that, and it’s a night we’ll always remember. Sometimes everything just flows when you’re at a club, so Seattle daters would do well to take a look at Thrillist’s list of the go-to spots in the city.
Seattle Chat Rooms
Most of us have used chat rooms before, but if you weren’t aware that there are chat rooms just for single Seattleites, your mind is about to be blown. You can stop wasting time in general chat rooms because we’ve picked five niche ones that will streamline the process for you. Now, instead of focusing so heavily on location, you can focus on more important things like age, gender, sexual orientation, and interests.
Seattle Personals
You’ve got to give kudos to the singles who used to put personal ads in the local newspapers — that would take a lot of guts. Today, it’s way less stressful because you can privately and safely go online to personals sites, like Craigslist and DateHookup, and post about yourself and your ideal match. No worries about your married cousin, neighbor, or boss finding out and judging you!
Volunteer With Seattle Works
Seattle is known as the City of Goodwill, so it only makes sense to include volunteering in your dating repertoire. Seattle Works is a nonprofit organization that brings volunteers and businesses together to help the community and build leaders who continue to make a difference.
There are always things to do to make Seattle an even better place to live. Plus, volunteering is a fun way to meet people who have the same values.
If you’re philanthropic, browse the site to see what charitable activity catches your eye. And, while you’re doing something nice for Seattle, you can also see if a cute guy or girl catches your eye.
Participate in Organizing for Seattle
We live in a heated political climate, so for men and women who are passionate about their beliefs and fighting for them, Organizing for Seattle is a fantastic organization to join. Crosscut.com calls Organizing for Seattle “a neutral space for progressive activists to share ideas, and a few beers.” It was founded by Sol Villarreal, who worked on Obama’s campaign in 2008 and who wanted to help people maintain momentum and stay informed between election cycles.
Organizing for Seattle provides an unbiased place for progressive Seattle activists to come together and discuss current projects they’re working on or topics that are on their mind.
Organizing for Seattle holds meetings at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of every even-numbered month.Visit its Facebook page for more information.
Join Impact Hub Seattle
Seattle is a mecca of professionals, particularly those in the tech industry, and you can use that to advance your career and social life. Located in Pioneer Square, Impact Hub Seattle is a collective work space where local professionals network, seek and share advice about ideas, and just talk about life, in general.
Impact Hub Seattle connects professionals at networking events, which can also help you expand your social circle.
Impact Hub Seattle has an event calendar full of opportunities, including Coworking Friday, Lunch + Learn, and freelancers meetups. Give them a try so you can meet people in and outside of your field… as well as for other reasons (hint, hint).
Attend a Gasworks Gallery Party
Artistic Seattle singles who haven’t been to one of Gasworks Gallery’s parties are really missing out. For more than 10 years, the gallery has hosted amazing events (such as paint dancing and human canvases) on the first Friday of March, June, September, and December.
On the first Friday of March, June, September, and December, Gasworks Gallery holds a party that attracts hundreds of Seattle artists and fans.
Jessica Buxbaum, of Crosscut.com, said “There are rarely awkward silences at these gigs, because you can always fill them by chatting up one of the artists about his or her work.” So even if you’re shy, you’ve got to give one of these parties a chance. There’s also usually boxed wine to get conversations flowing!
You'll Be Sleepless in Seattle (In a Good Way!) After Tackling This List
My sister and I can’t wait to get back to Seattle one day and explore other restaurants, bars, shops, and destinations — as well as get to know the people even more. Seattle singles, take advantage of the wonderful city you live in — even if you’re in a dating rut, you’ll never run out of ways to change that. We’ve given you 12, so that should keep you busy for a while! Go get ’em!
Photo sources: tune.com, impacthub.net, ladypantsdance.wordpress.com, wheretraveler.com, seattletimes.com, bonappetit.com, soundphotographics.com, conservativechristiankid.wordpress.com, seattlemet.com, whitemulepress.com, matchdatelove.com, groupon.com
